Guarding the nation at Line of Control (LoC) in hostile terrain and harsh weather conditions is one of the toughest tasks in the life of a soldier.
Presence of the enemy just few hundred metres away and sub-zero temperature (-20) make situation more difficult for the soldiers deployed at the advance posts.
While battling the enemy and unfavourable climate at front, these soldiers ensure peace and safety within the boundaries of the country.
To know more about the tough life of our soldiers deployed in the high altitudes along LoC, this reporter travelled to the 'Baraf' post in Tanghdhar sector of Kupwara district.
Yashpal, a soldier deployed here told his day starts with melting snow on a kerosene stove to get water as the whole area is covered with 5-20 feet thick snow.
On asking about the recent orders of Ministry of Defence (MoD) to cut down kerosene supplies in Jammu and Kashmir for the Army, Yashpal told, "We are not aware of any such order till now. We already have sufficient stock of it for the winters."
With a thick snow cover in the area, many posts in the here remain completely cut from the remaining parts of the country for few months. Heavy snowfall being a regular affair every year, the Army make sure they have sufficient stock of ration and other requirements before onset of winters.
Apart from heavy snowfall and hostile enemy across the fences, avalanches add to the woes of the army. Recently two jawans were killed due to avalanche here. According to the records of the ministry of defence, these avalanches and extreme weather conditions have claimed more lives than the enemy fires in last 10 years.
MoD and Met department have set up advance warning systems for avalanches and snow storms.
"Army has deployed special avalanche rescue teams in the avalanche-prone areas in border areas. Along with their colleagues, these teams also help civilians during any kind of natural calamity," said Major Abhishek.
Despite all the arrangements, natural calamities and harsh weather conditions continue to remain a major challenge for the army.
Presence of the enemy just few hundred metres away and sub-zero temperature (-20) make situation more difficult for the soldiers deployed at the advance posts.
While battling the enemy and unfavourable climate at front, these soldiers ensure peace and safety within the boundaries of the country.
To know more about the tough life of our soldiers deployed in the high altitudes along LoC, this reporter travelled to the 'Baraf' post in Tanghdhar sector of Kupwara district.
Yashpal, a soldier deployed here told his day starts with melting snow on a kerosene stove to get water as the whole area is covered with 5-20 feet thick snow.
On asking about the recent orders of Ministry of Defence (MoD) to cut down kerosene supplies in Jammu and Kashmir for the Army, Yashpal told, "We are not aware of any such order till now. We already have sufficient stock of it for the winters."
With a thick snow cover in the area, many posts in the here remain completely cut from the remaining parts of the country for few months. Heavy snowfall being a regular affair every year, the Army make sure they have sufficient stock of ration and other requirements before onset of winters.
Apart from heavy snowfall and hostile enemy across the fences, avalanches add to the woes of the army. Recently two jawans were killed due to avalanche here. According to the records of the ministry of defence, these avalanches and extreme weather conditions have claimed more lives than the enemy fires in last 10 years.
MoD and Met department have set up advance warning systems for avalanches and snow storms.
"Army has deployed special avalanche rescue teams in the avalanche-prone areas in border areas. Along with their colleagues, these teams also help civilians during any kind of natural calamity," said Major Abhishek.
Despite all the arrangements, natural calamities and harsh weather conditions continue to remain a major challenge for the army.
